The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Jackie, fresh out of prison, enrolled in Alcoholics Anonymous, and newly employed, spots a mysterious hat in the room he shares with his high school girlfriend, Veronica...that ain’t his hat! All h*ll breaks loose when Jackie accuses Veronica of having an affair that she strongly denies. Jackie’s attempts to resolve his relationship woes by involving his AA sponsor and cousin, only serves to expand the chaos.
This sharp, hilarious, and deeply engaging play dives into the lives of people within a unique American subculture, exposing how they navigate the messy, raw realities of personal relationships. At some point, we’ve all been there: trusting, only to feel betrayed; depending on someone, only to feel abandoned; loving, only to see it fade—or worse, turn into indifference.
The story entertains while challenging us to confront our cultural biases, questioning why we so easily judge others in different subcultures as not just wrong, but inherently bad. Our 2025 revival of THE MOTHERF**KER WITH THE HAT hits harder than ever, demanding we reflect on our shared humanity in a fractured world. It’s a must-see for today’s audience.
Stephen Adly Guirgis
Stephen Adly Guirgis is an acclaimed American playwright, screenwriter, and director known for his raw, gritty, and deeply human storytelling. Born in New York City, Guirgis has established himself as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary theater. His works often explore themes of redemption, faith, and the struggles of marginalized communities, delivered with sharp humor and poetic intensity.
Guirgis won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Between Riverside and Crazy, which also received the Lucille Lortel Award and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. Other notable plays include The Motherfucker with the Hat, Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, and Our Lady of 121st Street. Beyond theater, he has contributed to television projects such as Luke Cage on Netflix.
Known for his authentic dialogue and complex characters, Guirgis continues to push boundaries in storytelling, making him a vital and influential figure in
modern American theater.
A Note from the Director, Jolie Oliver
When I first encountered Stephen Adly Guirgis’s The Motherf**ker with the Hat, the bold title made me wonder if it was just a profane exploration of life. What I discovered was a vibrant, poignant story capturing the joy, love, and contradictions of human relationships. The characters are what we call “concursers,” with their everyday use of “conversational cursing”. Their words are not offensive but functional—a reflection of how they communicate with authenticity and impact. This language, paired with their raw humanity, reveals a world where humor and heartache, outbursts and
vulnerability, collide.
As a director, my vision is to peel back the layers and guide the audience through an immersive journey that challenges their personal biases and sparks a connection, leading the viewer to empathize with lives different from their own. I aim to honor the play’s rich text by embracing its contradictions, shining a light on its humor, and delivering performances that are honest, raw, and deeply moving.
